Published Feb 20, 2026, 3:42 PM EST
Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted.
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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
After a long tenure with Xbox, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's time with the company is coming to an end. Spencer worked with the Xbox team since 2001 and took on the role of CEO in 2022, leading the division through some major acquisitions and an increased focus on software over hardware.
Phil Spencer is now retiring from Microsoft, as confirmed in a new report from Variety. Microsoft CoreAI product development president Asha Sharma will be taking his place. Xbox president Sarah Bond will also be leaving, while head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty will become the CCO.
Asha Sharma Is The New Microsoft Gaming CEO
The Variety report shares Spencer's departing menu to Xbox staff, which cites an "exciting new chapter for Microsoft Gaming as Asha Sharma steps into the role of CEO." He praises her "deep commitment to understanding players, creators, and the decisions that shape our future" and clarifies that he'll "remain in an advisory role through the summer."
Sharma, meanwhile, speaks to "humility" of stepping into the "extraordinary" environment that the team has built, along with "urgency" in a period of "rapid change" for games. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also has some words on the subject, highlighting Asha's focus on growth in roles at Microsoft, Instacart, and Meta.
More to follow.
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